… accompanied by Yorke

FOR MANY footballers, such as Collie Hercules, Anthony Stanton, Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson, Charles ‘Lily’ Pollard and even Trinidad and Tobago’s very own Dwight Yorke and Russell Latapy, the burning desire is always there to play in and win the FIFA World Cup Trophy.

Both Yorke and Latapy got the distinct opportunity to do so for Trinidad and Tobago in the 2006 World Cup, where Yorke led his country in all their matches during that tournament and was named Man-of-the-Match in the 0-0 draw against Sweden, edging his close friend Shaka Hislop to the honour.
Yesterday morning, the 41-year-old Yorke, who celebrates his 42nd birthday this Sunday, summed it all up by saying, “I am very blessed to have the opportunity to play with Manchester United and win many trophies, but the FIFA World Cup Trophy is the one that eluded me and it’s tough to stand next to it and not being able to touch it, even as it remains the one trophy that I have always wanted.”
He was at the time, delivering brief remarks at an official ceremony held in the Arrival Lounge of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, signalling the arrival of the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour to Guyana under heavy security and supervision.
Witnessing the arrival of football’s ‘Holy Grail’ which came in a specially chartered plane to these shores at 09:00hrs were Minister of Sport Dr. Frank Anthony, Guyana Football Federation (GFF) president Christopher Matthias, Banks DIH’s co-Managing Director and Marketing Director George McDonald and Sales and Marketing Executive Carlton Joao, along with specially invited guests.

FIFA representative Brad Ross and Hector Mantellini also accompanied the trophy to Guyana – one of its many stops to over 50 countries which had never had the opportunity of seeing the world’s most coveted prize in football – on a tour that began on September 12 in neighbouring Brazil and will conclude in April 2014.
Dr Anthony, Matthias, McDonald and Joao all had the distinct privilege of viewing the trophy while on the plane, before it was taken into the Arrival Lounge in its carrying case – a moment that was captured by NCN Channel 11 and broadcast live across the country.
In his brief remarks prior to unveiling the trophy for those in attendance, Dr Anthony thanked FIFA and Coca Cola through Banks DIH, for choosing Guyana as one of the countries, saying it was a pleasure to have football’s most coveted prize in the Land of Many Waters.
“I understand it is the third time that this is happening and it is going to 89 countries and from the distances calculated, I understand you will be doing three times the circumference of the earth and that’s also a record.
“We are part of a very history-making event today and we are very pleased that you have chosen Guyana as part of your tour. Recently I was told that there are about 265 million persons who are actively playing the game and another 5 million persons who are officials and coaches, a grand total of 270 million persons involved or about 4% of the world’s population,” said Anthony.
He added, “This says something about the game’s popularity. In Guyana, when FIFA did what they call a big count, they said about 15.2% of our population is involved in the game so you can see the passion we have and it’s growing.
Dr Anthony recognised the work of the GFF and companies such as Banks DIH in supporting the development of football. He noted that with the trophy coming here it is going to add a boost to the young people and those in schools who are aspiring to be world class players.

Dr Anthony said the hope of Guyanese seeing its flagship team the Golden Jaguars hold aloft the FIFA World Cup Trophy on the global scene, an inspiration and the hope it symbolises, enables Guyanese to welcome it in our arms today.
“Many persons would have seen the image of the trophy but not many persons would have actually had the opportunity of seeing it in real life and what is being done today, thanks to Coca Cola and FIFA, we are fortunate to see it in real life, but only a distinguished few can touch it, such as Heads of State and persons who would have won the World Cup” stated Dr Anthony.
Dr Anthony welcomed the trophy and the delegation accompanying it to Guyana, while encouraging them to have a wonderful stay, even though it is a brief one, before he was invited to unveil the Trophy along with Yorke, McDonald and Ross, with Matthias and Joao as witnesses.
From the airport, the contingent made its way to Banks DIH’s Thirst Park Sports Club, where several novelty events were held to commemorate the arrival of the Trophy in Guyana.

(By Calvin Roberts)